Two New Breweries Coming to Bellingham

In a post last week I mused about the possibility of Bellingham becoming the Pacific Northwest’s next great beer destination (read it). My thoughts were not randomly conceived. Note that Bellingham Beer Week is currently in full swing.

As it stands right now, Boundary Bay Brewing, Chuckanut Brewery, and Kulshan Brewing are within city limits. North Fork Brewing (Deming) and Menace Brewing (Ferndale) are nearby. Today I share news of two new breweries currently under construction, both of which will be in downtown Bellingham.

Wander Brewing - According to the company’s Facebook page, the business plan hatched as a rough draft over four years ago in Mozambique. Now Chad and Colleen Kuehl are at last bringing the dream to life. The location is more like the fringes of downtown, a couple blocks north of the central commercial district, just a block south of Bellingham High School. (map)

“It is a unique property that was built in the 1920s and has housed everything from boat repair yards to a circus,” says Chad Kuehl, owner of Wander Brewing. “Our equipment arrives in January and we hope to have doors open in April or May.”

About six blocks away, at the corner of Forest and Magnolia Streets in downtown Bellingham, construction is underway at Aslan Brewing. (map)

The company describes itself as “A local brewing project committed to formulating world-class ales, lagers, and pop in preparation for bigger things: a 100% organic and sustainable microbrewery, using only the finest ingredients in the PNW.”

The plan is to start brewing in January 2014, with the pub opening in the spring.

As stated on the company’s Facebook page, Aslan Brewing’s mission is to produce and distribute world-class organic ales, lagers, and soda-pop using local resources, sustainable and low-impact practices, and responsible sales techniques in order to promote a healthier, happier, and more environmentally conscious community.

Jack Lamb, the found and CEO of Aslan Brewing, told the Bellingham Herald that the 150-seat brewpub will have a “world street fair” theme.

I have to wonder if they meant street fare, but I suppose it would work either way.

Pat Haynes will be the general manager and Frank Trosset will be the head brewer.

The building features huge glass walls facing the street. “It will be a very visual brewery,” Lamb told the Herald.